Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Jagadgirigutta Police have arrested Appari Vishwa Phanindra, a fraudster involved in a rental car scam affecting multiple victims. The total loss from the scam includes 32 four-wheelers, with the police successfully recovering 26 vehicles worth an estimated Rs 2.5 Crores. The recovered vehicles include 1 Innova Crysta, 3 Maruti Ertiga, 13 Maruti Swift Dzire, 1 Maruti Breeza, 1 Maruti Baleno, 1 Maruti Celerio, 1 Honda i20, 1 Honda Amaze, 2 Nissan Magnite, 1 Tata Tigor, and 1 Wagon R.

The scam took place in Devender Nagar, Jagadgirigutta, and was reported on January 27, 2025. The complainant, Shashidhar, had leased his car to VVV Car Tours & Travels, owned by Phanindra, for Rs 23,000 per month starting November 4 in 2024. Although Phanindra made payments for the first two months, he failed to pay for January 2025. When Shashidhar demanded payment or the return of his vehicle, Phanindra delayed and eventually absconded with multiple vehicles.

Phanindra, a native of Dr. B R Ambedkar Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh, operated his car rental business without proper authorization. He entered into lease agreements with several victims, promising monthly rental payments.  However, after making initial payments, he stopped paying and sold or mortgaged the vehicles in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Phanindra's associates, including Chivakala Ramana, Jakkamsetty Satyanarayana, and Reddy Venkatesh, are also absconding. In addition to the recent case, Phanindra is involved in other cases.